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      Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury tale of the tape: How Brits stack up ahead of blockbuster bout with contracts presented

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      THE HEAVYWEIGHT division finally looks set to be unified with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury presented with official offers to host their undisputed title decider.The all-British showdown is one fans have longed to see for years.

      Joshua stopped Pulev with a ninth round KO on December 12 while Fury dethroned Deontay Wilder of the WBC belt in February.
      The pair both verbally agreed a two-fight deal in the summer but are now looking over dates and venue offers from lucrative suitors for a proposed July blockbuster.
      They each have a massive fan base after their stunning careers – but how do they shape up against one another?
      SunSport takes a look at the stats of both men below:
      AGE
      AJ has the narrow advantage when it comes to age.
      He is little more than a year younger than the 32-year-old Gypsy King.
      Anthony Joshua is ready to put all of his belts on the line against Tyson Fury after beating Kubrat Pulev on December 12
      Tyson Fury is hoping to add AJ’s belts to his WBC TitleCredit: PA:Press Association
      EXPERIENCE
      Despite several years away from the ring due to mental health issues, Fury has the most experience of being in between the ropes.
      The WBC champion has fought 31 times, winning 30 and drawing once, compared to Joshua’s 25 battles.
      AJ lost his unbeaten record in a huge shock in June 2019 against Andy Ruiz Jr, but bounced back to beat the Mexican-American in the December to reclaim his WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
      However, AJ has 22 KOs on his CV to Fury’s 21.
      PHYSICAL
      Fury is also much bigger than AJ – who will not have faced much larger challenges in his career.
      The Gypsy King stands at a huge 6ft 9in, a full three inches taller and Joshua.
      And after tipping the scales at 19st 7lb for his victory over Wilder back in February, he weighs 2st 4lbs more than his fellow title holder who weighed in at 17st 3lbs for his Pulev win.

      EXPERTS SAY
      Fury’s promoter Frank Warren: “Has AJ got a better jab than Fury? No. Is AJ a bigger puncher? I don’t think so.
      “Has he got a better chin? I don’t think so. Has he got the hand speed or footwork of Fury? I don’t think so.
      “Tyson is so good in every department. When you saw him get off the floor from that punch by [Deontay] Wilder it tells you what he’s all about.”
      Amir Khan: “My opinion, and I’ve always said that Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight in the division. With the skill set he has got, he beats anyone with power.
      “What he did to Deontay Wilder, no-one would expect that. If that same Fury goes into a fight with Anthony Joshua, it’s always going to be Fury that wins that.
      Tony Bellew: “I just think AJ’s style will be all wrong for Fury. I believe that because Wilder has the bigger punch than AJ, but Wilder is not technically good enough to put Fury in a position to nail him and that’s why he couldn’t land on the night.
      “Joshua is technically good enough, you’re talking about an Olympic gold medallist, a guy who is technically and fundamentally good.
      “He does have speed, he’s a brilliant athlete, he functions the right way.

      “I just feel that he would get to Fury. Don’t get me wrong, it would have to be within six rounds because anyone who goes past six rounds with someone like Fury, you’ve lost.
      “The guy’s such an immense boxer, he can adapt in fights, he’s versatile and he’s just an amazing fighter.
      “It’s a fight we all want to see and we have to see because if boxing’s going to remain one of the premier sports in the world, we need to see the best face the best.”
      Tyson Fury shows off slick skills as he reveals combination he plans to KO Deontay Wilder with in trilogy fight More

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      Mouthwatering British sporting summer calendar revealed as ‘Fury vs Joshua on July 24’ added to Euro 2020 and Wimbledon

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      A remarkable British sporting calendar is taking shape in what promises to be a summer to remember.After the coronavirus pandemic put sport on its knees 12 months ago, events such as the European Championships and Wimbledon were postponed and cancelled as fans were left with little entertainment.
      This summer promises to be a sensational festival of sport
      England will be hoping to win a first major tournament in 55 years this summerCredit: Getty
      Now, one year on from that we are set for one of the best ever summers of jam-packed British sport as spectators return to whip up a frenzy.
      It all kicks off on June 11 with the postponed Euro 2020 which is being played for the first time ever across 12 different European countries.
      But the semi-finals and final of the tournament – which ends on July 11 – are scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium, the first major international final at the ground for 25 years.
      While the Euros are going on, there is also the small matter of Wimbledon returning for the first time in two years on June 28.
      Incidentally, the final at the All England Club will be played on the same day as the conclusion of the Euros.
      From June through to September a festival of cricket will also be taking place with England taking on Pakistan and Sri Lanka in a number of one-day internationals, before a five Test series with India.
      And to top it all off, the inaugural edition of The Hundred gets underway in July.
      In athletics there is the Diamond League Anniversary Games at the London Stadium, an event which takes place just five days before another huge day in Formula 1 with the British Grand Prix.
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      Hamilton will look to secure a record-extending eighth British Grand Prix victory this summerCredit: AFP
      Ben Stokes will be hoping he can drive England to victory over India in their five Test seriesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Wimbledon will make a triumphant return after being cancelled last year for the first time since WWIICredit: Reuters
      The day before the British GP there is also the small matter of the Rugby League Challenge Cup final at Wembley on July 17.
      And then perhaps the biggest one of them all could be confirmed in the coming days as Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury prepare for an undisputed heavyweight clash on July 24.
      The fight looks set to take place in the Middle East, but a 100,000 capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium has not yet been ruled out.
      Throw in a bit of golf action with The Open and Women’s British Open and you have yourself a blockbuster few months of UK sport.
      With events such as the London Marathon and Rugby League World Cup then rounding off 2021, it promises to be unquestionably one of the greatest ever years of British sport.
      You’d be a fool to miss it.
      The Anniversary Games at the London Stadium promises to be another special eventCredit: PA
      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More

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      Watch Anthony Joshua train at boyhood Finchley Boxing Club ahead of heavyweight clash with Tyson Fury as UK gyms reopen

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA took a trip back to memory lane as he helped train an amateur at his old Finchley Boxing Club. The heavyweight superstar first picked up the gloves at the renowned gym in London when he was 18.
      Anthony Joshua helped train an amateur at his old Finchley Boxing Club
      Anthony Joshua joined Finchley aged 18
      Fast forward 13 years and AJ is a Olympic gold medalist and unified world champion, on the verge of fighting Tyson Fury.
      And despite stationing most of his training base in Team GB’s Sheffield HQ, Joshua never forgets his roots.
      He often starts his camps at Finchley or trains there in his off season, and made another return now gyms re-opened in the UK on April 12.
      AJ was captured putting an amateur through his paces, working on defence and footwork drills.
      He captioned the post: “Giving back may provide some financial resources.
      “Going back provides an intangible, psychological stimulation for the children to want to do better.
      “Your presence is infinitely more important than your profit.”
      Joshua’s motivational upload comes as he enters the final stages of talks to fight long-time rival Fury.

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      The pair signed a two-fight deal in March, and promoters gave themselves a 28-day period to have a venue and date set in stone.
      That deadline expired last weekend, but various site deals have been presented to both camps.
      Official offers have been made for a proposed July undisputed title decider, with Joshua, 31, and Fury, 32, left to decide what deal they prefer most.
      Anthony Joshua training to fight Tyson FuryCredit: Instagram
      Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have been presented site dealsCredit: Instagram / @gypsykingofficialmerchandise More

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      Tyson Fury ‘100 per cent sure’ Anthony Joshua blockbuster will be announced TODAY… but will walk away if it isn’t

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      TYSON FURY is ‘one million per cent’ sure his summer superfight with Anthony Joshua will be officially announced today.But in a trademark twist, Fury warned he will WALK AWAY if it is not.
      Tyson Fury threatened to walk away from AJ if a venue isn’t agreed by TuesdayCredit: PA
      The undefeated WBC heavyweight champion declared: “I have been told there are a few good offers on the table, from a few different countries, from some very rich people, so I am confident.
      “Saudi is involved, I will say that much, but there are also some dark horses involved who have offered some serious money.
      “I am one million per cent sure it will happen and we’ll know where and when.
      “We both want it and we will give each other a good hiding and lay it all on the line.
      “It is exciting for me because I have always been quite sceptical about it all.”
      However, in his interview with YouTube channel Behind the Gloves, he added: “If I don’t know anything by Tuesday I will just move on because it has been a long time in the making.”
      Team AJ believe they have hustled Fury, 32, into the biggest fight in British boxing history begrudgingly.
      Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has tirelessly talked up the clash and scouted for venues while 31-year-old Joshua has been busier on social media than ever before.
      Anthony Joshua has confirmed a deal is all-but doneCredit: PA
      AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has touted plenty of venues that could host the fightCredit: PA
      The Gypsy King’s army has done the opposite, with promoters Frank Warren and Bob Arum going radio silent and the WBC champ’s father John repeatedly claiming the fight was miles off announcing.
      Fury has two big-money fights left on his contract with US promoters Top Rank and American broadcasters ESPN – where he could have collected around £25million for fighting a couple of cherry-picked opponents.
      But the very-public work and promotion AJ and Hearn have launched has helped lure the giant into the showdown.
      After AJ posted yet another social media update about a guaranteed venue making a concrete offer, a source close to the talks told SunSport: “It is a massively positive bit of news on the event now happening.
      “This fight would never have been made without the work Eddie has put in.
      “If Fury had not taken the fight, after all the work put in – and media attention drummed up – it would have looked pretty embarrassing.”
      In fairness to hall-of-fame promoter Warren, who guided Fury’s return to the support after a doping ban and mental health breakdown, he has insisted his uncharacteristic silence has been protocol after the two rival teams signed a non-disclosure agreement while negotiations went on.
      But Joshua’s unusually candid social media posts definitely seemed to have barged plans along rapidly, just weeks after Fury talked about taking on an alternative opponent.

      On Sunday night, AJ wrote: “Positive news this evening! I’m lacing up my running boots rn!
      “@258MGT and @Matchroomboxing have received the first OFFICIAL offer to host the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship Of The WORLD!
      “I will be victorious God Willing! No place to hide now! I’M COMING!”
      If both fighters agree to take the red-hot rivalry to the Middle East, they could face temperatures of up to 110 degrees.
      The bout will have to happen inside and any Brits travelling to catch the action will struggle to spend a second outside.
      But the biggest site fee was always likely to come from the petro-dollar kingdom and the region being around two hours ahead will be a huge boost to the potential pay-per-view sales that Hearn believes could be a record-demolishing 2.2million.
      AJ took his 2019 rematch win over Andy Ruiz to the Diriyah on just a few weeks notice and seemed to strike up a close relationship with the royals there who stumped up the funds.
      But Fury is no stranger to Saudi lucre after he wrestled for the WWE in Riyadh in October that same year.
      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More

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      Tyson Fury admits he and Anthony Joshua no longer FaceTime each other and have not spoken during fight negotiations

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      TYSON FURY has revealed he and Anthony Joshua have not spoken since negotiations of an undisputed heavyweight title clash began.The Gypsy King has a history of FaceTiming Joshua and was once filmed doing so in a local pub.
      Fury has not had any contact with Joshua since talks for a fight beganCredit: PA
      Previously Fury had been known to call both AJ and promoter Eddie Hearn from time to timeCredit: PA
      But since AJ knocked out Kubrat Pulev at the end of 2020 and discussions over an all-British dust-up really gathered pace, Fury insists he has had not ha any contact with his heavyweight rival.
      He said: “I haven’t spoken to AJ at all during this deal, we used to FaceTime each other but not recently.
      “Other people are getting paid a lot to get this done so we don’t need to.”
      Fury and Joshua have already signed contracts agreeing to a clash in what is understood to be a two-fight deal worth £500million.
      No date or venue has been confirmed as of yet, but Eddie Hearn has hinted July 24 could be when the blockbuster clash takes place.
      In terms of a location, Saudi Arabia remains the front-runner to stage the fight.
      But a 100,000 sell-out at Wembley Stadium is among the proposed options, depending on Covid-19 restrictions.
      Fury has been known to FaceTime heavyweight rival Anthony Joshua in the past
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      Earlier this week, Fury claimed Joshua would still not be the best of this heavyweight era even if he was to defeat him.
      The WBC champion said: “When I win I am the best of this era because I beat everyone in it. Klitschko, Wilder and AJ.”
      “If AJ wins he will still not have beaten anybody. He has to beat me and Wilder.
      “I don’t think he can beat Deontay Wilder, I have no love for Wilder, I think he is a piece of s*** dosser but I am the only man who can beat him.
      “I am not a betting man but I would put a lot of money on Wilder beating all the others, including Joshua.”

      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More

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      Tyson Fury tells Anthony Joshua he will still NOT be best of their era even if he wins unification blockbuster

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      TYSON FURY teased Anthony Joshua that even beating him to the undisputed crown will NOT make him the best of their generation.WBC champ Fury is undefeated in 31 fights and dethroned the legendary Wladimir Klitschko in his adopted Germany home in 2015 to end his 11-year undefeated streak.
      Tyson Fury reckons Anthony Joshua needs to beat him and then stop Deontay Wilder to be considered the best of this heavyweight eraCredit: Getty
      AJ faced the icon three years later at Wembley and had to get off the canvas to stop the veteran in brilliant style.
      A doping ban and mental health breakdown robbed Fury of three prime years of his career after that sublime points win.
      But he was able to bounce back and get a harsh 2018 draw and a sensational KO 2020 win over Deontay Wilder – after Joshua had wasted 18 months chasing the Bronze Bomber and failing to land that fight.
      AJ’s record is littered with impressive scalps like Alexander Povetkin, Dillian Whyte and Joseph Parker but he has the solitary defeat, to Andy Ruiz Jr, that Fury has avoided.
      The pair are now set to settle their differences with a Saudi Arabia clash this summer but Fury, 32, says his 31-year-old nemesis will not be the main man – even with a seismic win.
      Fury told Behind the Gloves: “When I win I am the best of this era because I beat everyone in it. Klitschko, Wilder and AJ.
      “If AJ wins he will still not have beaten anybody. He has to beat me and Wilder.
      “I don’t think he can beat Deontay Wilder, I have no love for Wilder, I think he is a piece of s*** dosser but I am the only man who can beat him.
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      “I am not a betting man but I would put a lot of money on Wilder beating all the others, including Joshua.”
      To help make the biggest fight in British boxing history – potentially worth around £200million – AJ has taken the unusual step to prod and poke Fury in interviews and on social media.
      The WBA, IBF and WBO boss even told the 6ft 9in ace to join his 258 management stable to finally become a mainstream star.
      But Fury insists his bamboozling of Klitschko – and the three-year depression-riddled hiatus that followed – is the butterfly effect moment that let Joshua become one of the biggest stars in Britain.
      He said: “I don’t know if AJ has ever helped me. I have helped him become a superstar.
      “He only has his career because of me. I took Klitschko’s belts off him then had my problems and the other guys picked them up.
      “Charles Martin would never have had a world title for AJ to win off of him without me.
      “I destroyed Klitschko, mentally, physically and spiritually and took every belt he had. 

      “Then they were all taken off of me and other people picked them up. I helped them all become world champions.”
      The Covid-19 delay to the fight means July is expected to be the date but Fury is surprisingly open to getting the two-fight rivalry started a month earlier.
      The Gypsy King claims he only needs two months to train specifically for AJ and dismisses the improvements most Joshua fans think they have seen since his shock loss to Ruiz Jr.
      He said: “I only need to train for eight weeks for a camp and I can do the press trip in one week. 
      “He is in shape all year round, look at the body on him. We only need eight weeks of training.
      “If the fight is the end of June then we are both ready and the second is November or December.
      “Joshua has improved, he brought the movement in against Ruiz in the rematch but I am not sure if he has improved.”
      Joshua currently holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts and is set for a summer showdown with FuryCredit: PA
      Both men have wins over Wladimir Klitschko on their records – with Fury’s coming in DusseldorfCredit: —

      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More

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      Anthony Joshua fight date with Tyson Fury confirmed by Eddie Hearn as July 24 IF £500m bout takes place at Wembley

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA vs Tyson Fury will take place on July 24 but only if it can be held at Wembley with 100,000 fans.That is according to Joshua’s Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.
      Anthony Joshua could fight Tyson Fury on July 24Credit: The Sun
      But the Battle of Britain with the Gypsy King will only be held then if Wembley can hold 100,000 fans by that dateCredit: The Sun
      The superstars are deciding on the venue for their world heavyweight title unification showdown.
      Contracts and potential venue details are being presented today.
      Hearn has ruled out the possibility of delaying the fight until the end of the year.
      Wembley is an option but the stumbling block remains enabling a full stadium crowd to attend due to Covid-19 restrictions as Hearn confirmed to Sky Sports on Saturday.
      He said: “We are very close. Tomorrow [Sunday] both guys will be presented with the options for a fight in the summer.
      “Joshua doesn’t talk much about fights – but he talks when it’s close. You can feel the excitement building.
      “We are in a great place with several offers on the table. I’m quietly confident. It was nice to see Fury post with enthusiasm because he feels that we are close.
      “The teams will get together. I will try to see Bob Arum on Tuesday. We’re nearly there. We have worked really hard and we don’t want to give in.
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      Eddie Hearn made the revelation to Sky Sports on SaturdayCredit: Dave Thompson Matchroom Boxing
      England’s national stadium seems an unlikely venueCredit: Getty – Contributor

      “It [Wembley] will be presented. Financially, it’s not at the races.
      “The question is: can we get 100,000 fans on July 24, the potential date in London? The answer is ‘we hope so’. It is difficult to make a decision on that basis.
      “This is why it’s taking longer than expected. It’s the logistics, testing policies, crowds.
      “But now is the time to make this fight. Now. The summer. We may not get this opportunity again.
      “Both guys accept that and are ready for the challenge.”
      Saudi Arabia is the frontrunner to stage the first bout of the two-fight deal.

      Eddie Hearn says Amir Khan could fight Conor Benn next More

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      Incredible British sporting summer calendar revealed with potential Fury vs Joshua on July 24 added to Euros & Wimbledon

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      A remarkable calendar of British sport is taking shape in what promises to be a summer to remember.After the coronavirus pandemic put sport on its knees 12 months ago, events such as the European Championships and Wimbledon were postponed and cancelled as fans were left with little entertainment.
      This summer promises to be a sensational festival of sport
      England will be hoping to win a first major tournament in 55 years this summerCredit: Getty
      Now, one year on from that we are set for one of the best ever summers of jam-packed British sport as spectators return to whip up a frenzy.
      It all kicks off on June 11 with the postponed Euro 2020 which is being played for the first time ever across 12 different European countries.
      But the semi-finals and final of the tournament – which ends on July 11 – are scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium, the first major international final at the ground for 25 years.
      While the Euros are going on, there is also the small matter of Wimbledon returning for the first time in two years on June 28.
      Incidentally, the final at the All England Club will be played on the same day as the conclusion of the Euros.
      From June through to September a festival of cricket will also be taking place with England taking on Pakistan and Sri Lanka in a number of one-day internationals, before a five Test series with India.
      And to top it all off, the inaugural edition of The Hundred gets underway in July.
      In athletics there is the Diamond League Anniversary Games at the London Stadium, an event which takes place just five days before another huge day in Formula 1 with the British Grand Prix.
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      Hamilton will look to secure a record-extending eighth British Grand Prix victory this summerCredit: AFP
      Ben Stokes will be hoping he can drive England to victory over India in their five Test seriesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Wimbledon will make a triumphant return after being cancelled last year for the first time since WWIICredit: Reuters
      The day before the British GP there is also the small matter of the Rugby League Challenge Cup final at Wembley on July 17.
      And then perhaps the biggest one of them all could be confirmed in the coming days as Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury prepare for an undisputed heavyweight clash on July 24.
      The fight looks set to take place in the Middle East, but a 100,000 capacity crowd at Wembley Stadium has not yet been ruled out.
      Throw in a bit of golf action with The Open and Women’s British Open and you have yourself a blockbuster few months of UK sport.
      With events such as the London Marathon and Rugby League World Cup then rounding off 2021, it promises to be unquestionably one of the greatest ever years of British sport.
      You’d be a fool to miss it.
      The Anniversary Games at the London Stadium promises to be another special eventCredit: PA
      Hearn hits back at Tyson Fury’s dad John over lack of support for Anthony Joshua fight More